GITLIN, DAVID (14 July 1924-20 Mar. 1994) was a doctor and social activist known for his advocacy work on environmental issues.
Gitlin was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Isidor and Rebecca (Chase) Gitlin. He graduated from City College of New York and earned a medical degree at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. He began practicing medicine in MAPLE HEIGHTS before moving his practice to Westgate in FAIRVIEW PARK.
Gitlin's involvement with environmental issues grew out of his career as a doctor and specifically his work as an allergist. He spoke out against chemical lawn sprays, nuclear power, air pollution, and smoking, and is said to have helped start the movement against smoking on planes. He served on several boards and committees relating to environmental issues, and was an officer of the Citizens for Clean Air and Water and the Northeast Ohio Area Conservation Coalition. Gitlin also served on environmental commitees for both BROOK PARK and BEREA.
In the 1960s, he played an important role in forming an advocacy movement for Jews in the Soviet Union and was credited with convincing Jewish organizations to take a stand on that issue. He also was a social activist in several areas, including that of civil rights and housing discrimination, and in the latter field worked with such organizations as the Berea Area Council on Human Relations.
He married Christine Miles in Cuyahoga County on 6 Mar. 1960 and they had 3 children: Donald, Deborah, and Darryl. Gitlin was cremated.